Hello, Hillside Families!

 

I hope this message finds you enjoying the weekend!  Rain, rain, go away!

 

Special thanks to the families who were able to attend Thursday evening's Back to School Night.  We hope you were able to get a feel for the curricula and learning that your children will acquire throughout the year, and, more importantly, for the enthusiasm and care that our teachers and faculty have for their work and your children.  We look forward to a wonderful year with you, and we thank you for your continued support!  To view the two videos that were presented during the General Session with me, please click on the links below.  

 

PTA Promotional Video    Staff Introduction Video

 

Special thanks to longtime Hillside dad, Mr. Peter Shyu, and to Mr. Grossman and the other Student Council advisors, Miss Trebbe and Mrs. Hinds, respectively, for all their efforts in creating these masterpieces!  Enjoy!

 

Friday's Outdoor Movie Night was great fun!  Although a bit chilly, the turnout was great and we thank the families who attended for supporting the event.  Special thanks to the Hillside PTA for sponsoring the event!  It's a wonderful tradition and a great way to start the year as the first of many fun events to come!

 

The PTA's online Miss Chocolate Cookie Sale began yesterday.  Information was sent home with students this past week and can also be found here.  Thank you, in advance, for helping to make this a successful fundraiser!

 

We are excited about Tuesday's assembly, A Journey Through Latin Percussion, being presented by our friends at Young Audiences!  As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, this assembly will highlight the traditions of Latin percussion for our students and help them gain an appreciation for the cultures of the Caribbean and of South/Latin America.  Special thanks to the Hillside PTA for sponsoring this assembly!  

 

On Thursday, New Horizons Day Camp will host team-building activities for our fifth graders, as they embark on their final year as Huskies.  The purpose of this event is to develop a sense of unity and bonding among our senior students, that will serve as a kickoff for an amazing year ahead.  Special thanks to the Hillside PTA for supporting this wonderful experience!

 

We are super-excited about our upcoming 10th Annual Back to School Pep Rally scheduled for this Friday, September 29th!  Grade levels have each been assigned one of our Six Pillars of Character, and will soon prepare songs, chants and/or dances about their assigned pillar to showcase at the rally!  On this day, we are also asking students to wear color shirts that correspond with their assigned pillars.  The pillar assignments and colors are as follows:

 

• Kindergarten:  Trustworthiness (blue)

• First Grade:  Respect (yellow)

• Second Grade:  Responsibility (green)

• Third Grade:  Fairness (orange)

• Fourth Grade:  Caring (red)

• Fifth Grade:  Citizenship (purple)

 

Thanks to families, in advance, for supporting our rally and we look forward to a fun, school-spirited time!  And, since this is a special anniversary of our pep rally tradition, students can expect a special celebration of our mascot, Hank's, 10th birthday!

 

Construction Update:  Interior work, including wiring and other electrical work, continued this past week.  Entry ramps were delivered and will likely be installed this week.  As of now, the target date for completion in early October has not changed.  Stay tuned!

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REMINDER MESSAGES:

1)  The PTA's Apparel Sale begins on Monday, 9-11, and ends on Friday, 9-29.  I encourage you to take this opportunity to get your children (and yourself!) some school spirit wear!  Go, Huskies!  The flyer can be found here and in the calendar below.  Thank you!

 

2)  Families often ask how they can partner with the school to ensure a positive experience for their children, and my first suggestion is always to join our partner in education, the amazing Hillside PTA!  As such, I encourage all families to become members of the PTA.  Please see this flyer for Membership Drive information.  Your support is greatly appreciated!

 

3)  Student Absences:  Families often have questions about absences, particularly what counts as "excused" or "unexcused", and what impact extended absences have on their children.  Please see the following note regarding absences and extended absences, and the automated attendance letters that are sent out:

• Most absences from school are considered "unexcused", regardless of the reason.  The exceptions mostly include religious holidays and are dictated by the NJ Department of Education.  There are two types of unexcused absences–ones that count towards truancy (no documented reason) and those that do not (reasons/doctor's notes are provided to school).  We want to avoid having absences that count towards truancy. It is important that daily attendance is communicated/entered via the Genesis Parent Portal, but we cannot make absences excused, other than the ones the NJDOE deems as excusable.  

• Extended Absences:  While there may be instances during the school year when it is necessary for students to be out of school for extended periods of time (e.g., trips), the school cannot condone these absences and they will be unexcused.  Families who find it necessary to pull their children out of school should carefully consider the school calendar and do so prudently.  Families are advised that teachers are not obligated to provide any work in advance, as thoughtful instructional planning happens from week to week, but teachers will do their best to make up any missed major concepts when students return.  Families considering such absences should contact their children's teachers and the main office in advance as much as possible, and should be aware that any absences that exceed 10 consecutive school days may result in withdrawal from the school's roll and may require re-enrollment upon return.  Thank you!

• Once five absences are accumulated (and at every interval of five), families will receive an automated attendance letter stating to contact me to schedule a meeting to discuss absences.  If we are aware of the reasons for absences, a call or meeting with me is not necessary, and there is no need to respond.  If I have concerns about your children's attendance that can result in retention, rest assured that I will contact you.  Please note that every three tardies equal to one absence as they accumulate.  Thank you!

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Thank you for reading and have a great week!  I wish those observing Yom Kippur an easy fast!

 

Best regards,

Mr. Gramata

 

P.S. These weekly messages are also posted on the school's site for your convenience.  

P.P.S. Follow Hillside School on X/Twitter at @Hillside_Elem!

 

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Upcoming Dates to Remember!

 

Week of September 25, 2023

 

Monday, 9-25: Yom Kippur, Schools Closed

 

Tuesday, 9-26: Young Audiences Assembly: A Journey Through Latin Percussion, 

Courtesy of the Hillside PTA

Student Council Representative Meeting, 11:03 a.m.

BOE Voting Meeting, 7:00 p.m., BOE Conference Room

 

Thursday, 9-28: Fifth Grade Team-Building Activities by New Horizons Day Camp, 12:30 - 

2:30, On-Site, Courtesy of the Hillside PTA

 

Friday, 9-29: Back to School Pep Rally!

PTA Apparel Sale Ends

Fifth Grade Team-Building Rain Date

 

Week of October 2, 2023–Week of Respect in all NJ Schools

 

Tuesday, 10-3: After School Enrichment Begins (Soccer & Chess)

 

Wednesday, 10-4: ASE: Science & Mosaic Storytelling

 

Thursday, 10-5: ASE: Robotics & Engineering

 

Friday, 10-6: PTA Online Miss Chocolate Cookie Sale Ends

 

Week of October 9, 2023

 

Monday, 10-9: Columbus Day / Indigenous People's Day

Schools Closed for Students / Professional Development Day for Staff

 

Tuesday, 10-10: Picture Day (Individual & Class / information forthcoming)

ASE: Soccer & Chess

BOE Workshop Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 10-11: ASE: Science & Mosaic Storytelling

PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Thursday, 10-12: ASE: Robotics & Engineering

 

Friday, 10-13: PTA's After School Bake Sale

 

Week of October 16, 2023–School Violence Awareness Week in all NJ Schools

 

Tuesday, 10-17: ASE: Soccer & Chess

BOE Voting Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 10-18: ASE: Science & Mosaic Storytelling

 

Thursday, 10-19: ASE: Robotics & Engineering

Friday, 10-20: PTA's School Store